Amplifier repair in the south east
Discussion
I'm looking for a recommendation for a repair person / company for a Crown K1 power amplifier - it's been switched on for over ten years but decided to die with a pop the other day. I understand all the stages internally are modular and you can buy them from Crown, but I need someone with the skills to test and diagnose and then do the repair. the input trims could also do with replacing as they are a little noisy.
Seems 'repairing' electronics is something of a fading art - like the blacksmith!
Seems 'repairing' electronics is something of a fading art - like the blacksmith!
Repairing electronics isn’t an issue.
Repairing Class D chip amps, especially early implementations such as the Crown, is an issue.
I’ve heard from a few people who know what they’re talking about and the time taken to find the fault then find a replacement part can easily cost more than a replacement amp. And that’s if manufacturers will actually release details and values of components in the first place.
It’s a minefield, but is the real price of cheap watts.
A class A/B amp putting out 350w/ch are readily available and quite simple to repair for those with experience but they’re 10,20 or 30 times the price.
Good luck in your search - I’ve got a 750W plate amp from a subwoofer in pieces - I couldn’t find anyone to touch it and, when I eventually did find a repairer I was told the manufacturer refused to release a circuit diagram. It was cheaper (£400) to replace with a new amp...
Repairing Class D chip amps, especially early implementations such as the Crown, is an issue.
I’ve heard from a few people who know what they’re talking about and the time taken to find the fault then find a replacement part can easily cost more than a replacement amp. And that’s if manufacturers will actually release details and values of components in the first place.
It’s a minefield, but is the real price of cheap watts.
A class A/B amp putting out 350w/ch are readily available and quite simple to repair for those with experience but they’re 10,20 or 30 times the price.
Good luck in your search - I’ve got a 750W plate amp from a subwoofer in pieces - I couldn’t find anyone to touch it and, when I eventually did find a repairer I was told the manufacturer refused to release a circuit diagram. It was cheaper (£400) to replace with a new amp...
legzr1 said:
Repairing electronics isn’t an issue.
Repairing Class D chip amps, especially early implementations such as the Crown, is an issue.
I’ve heard from a few people who know what they’re talking about and the time taken to find the fault then find a replacement part can easily cost more than a replacement amp. And that’s if manufacturers will actually release details and values of components in the first place.
It’s a minefield, but is the real price of cheap watts.
A class A/B amp putting out 350w/ch are readily available and quite simple to repair for those with experience but they’re 10,20 or 30 times the price.
Good luck in your search - I’ve got a 750W plate amp from a subwoofer in pieces - I couldn’t find anyone to touch it and, when I eventually did find a repairer I was told the manufacturer refused to release a circuit diagram. It was cheaper (£400) to replace with a new amp...
This is why I love Crown products - full disclosure and support - But I need someone to do the simple diagnostics for me...Repairing Class D chip amps, especially early implementations such as the Crown, is an issue.
I’ve heard from a few people who know what they’re talking about and the time taken to find the fault then find a replacement part can easily cost more than a replacement amp. And that’s if manufacturers will actually release details and values of components in the first place.
It’s a minefield, but is the real price of cheap watts.
A class A/B amp putting out 350w/ch are readily available and quite simple to repair for those with experience but they’re 10,20 or 30 times the price.
Good luck in your search - I’ve got a 750W plate amp from a subwoofer in pieces - I couldn’t find anyone to touch it and, when I eventually did find a repairer I was told the manufacturer refused to release a circuit diagram. It was cheaper (£400) to replace with a new amp...
Full wiring diagrams and schematics are available for the K1 and 2 amplifiers:
https://www.crownaudio.com/en/products/k1
https://adn.harmanpro.com/site_elements/resources/...
the individual input, PSU and output modules are available from crown and they provide a refurbishment service (quoted from the service manual):
1.3 Repair Strategy
The Balanced Current Amplifier technology rings in a
new era in Crown history. Taking full advantage of the
modular design approach used in the design of K Series
amplifiers, we are able to offer a module exchange
program for this product. The concept is that the PWA
(Printed Wire Assembly) as a whole is one component,
and when a part of the assembly is defective,
the whole assembly is defective. Exceptions are the
Control, Bridge, Display, and Line Filter PWAs. Those
PWAs may be repaired at the component level unless
there is sufficient damage or malfunction to warrant
PWA replacement. Non-PWA components are also excluded
from this program.
Under the module exchange program, defective
PWAs are returned to Crown for evaluation and rework.
The reworked assemblies will then be stocked
in the Crown Parts Department to be sold as refurbished
parts.
This strategy offers several advantages. One advantage
is less time spent in troubleshooting and repairing
the amplifier, thus resulting in greater customer
satisfaction. This strategy also allows Crown to collect
the necessary information from amplifier failures,
so improvements
Knight sound and light in Hanwell have a repair guy. http://www.knightsoundandlight.com/repairs/
Can thoroughly recommend http://jsaudiorepairs.co.uk based in Coulsdon, Surrey. John is a very knowledgeable guy, ex Musical Fidelity.
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